Taking the first step toward mental health care is often the hardest. Many people delay getting help for months — sometimes years — because they don't know what to expect, worry about being judged, or aren't sure their struggles are "serious enough" to warrant professional support.
They are. And you deserve care that meets you where you are.
This post walks you through exactly what happens at your first appointment at Mental Health Abounds — so the unknown is a little less unknown before you arrive.
Before Your Appointment
When you book, you'll receive a brief intake form to complete ahead of time. It covers:
- Your current symptoms and how long you've been experiencing them
- Your mental health history — any prior diagnoses, therapy, or medications
- Relevant medical history and current medications
- Family psychiatric history, if known
- Your goals: what would feeling better actually look like for you?
Completing the intake form in advance means your first session can focus on conversation — not paperwork. There are no right or wrong answers. Write what's true for you, even if it feels incomplete.
If you're not sure how to describe what you're experiencing, that's okay. You don't need to arrive with a clear narrative or a self-diagnosis. Part of Hilda's job is to help you find language for what you've been carrying.
The First Session: A Conversation, Not a Checklist
Your initial appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, typically 60 minutes. Think of it as a structured conversation — collaborative and unhurried. Hilda will ask about:
- Your current concerns and their history
- What has or hasn't helped in the past
- How symptoms are affecting your daily life — work, sleep, relationships, energy
- Your lifestyle context: stressors, support systems, physical health
- For women: your menstrual cycle, any hormonal changes, reproductive life stage
- Your preferences and priorities for care
There's no interrogation. No judgment. No expectation that you'll have everything figured out before you walk in.
If something is hard to say out loud — if you've never told anyone — you can say that. "This is hard to say" is a valid and useful thing to share, and it will be received with care.
What Hilda Will Not Do in the First Session
- Rush to a diagnosis based on a brief intake
- Pressure you to start medication before you're ready
- Dismiss your symptoms because they don't fit a neat clinical category
- Treat you as a collection of symptoms rather than a whole person
What You'll Leave With
By the end of your first visit, you and Hilda will have a preliminary shared understanding of what's going on and a rough outline for next steps. This might include:
- A working diagnosis — or a range of possibilities to explore further
- An initial treatment approach: therapy, medication, or a combination
- A discussion of what medication might look like, if applicable — what to expect, what questions you should bring to the conversation
- Clarity on appointment frequency and what follow-up looks like
- Practical next steps that feel manageable, not overwhelming
You won't leave with a stack of homework or a rigid protocol. You'll leave with a direction — and hopefully with the sense that you've been genuinely heard.
Telehealth or In-Person?
Both are available at Mental Health Abounds, and both are equally effective for most presentations. Telehealth sessions use a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform — you can join from home, your car, or anywhere you have privacy and a reliable connection.
If you're ambivalent about which format to choose, start with whatever removes the most friction. The most important thing is showing up.
What If I'm Not Sure I Need Psychiatric Care?
If you're uncertain whether your symptoms warrant professional help, the answer is almost always: yes, come in. An evaluation doesn't obligate you to anything. It gives you information — a professional perspective on what you're experiencing and what options exist.
You might leave with a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan. You might leave with reassurance that what you're experiencing is within the normal range and some useful guidance for managing it. Either outcome is valuable.
The cost of getting evaluated when you didn't need to is low. The cost of delaying care when you did need it can be very high.
A Note for People Who Have Had Difficult Experiences With Mental Health Care
If you've had a previous experience with a provider that felt dismissive, rushed, or harmful — you're not alone, and it makes sense that you'd feel hesitant about trying again.
Hilda's practice is built around the opposite of that experience: unhurried, collaborative, trauma-informed care where your history, your preferences, and your goals shape the treatment plan. If past care didn't feel right, that's worth naming at your first appointment. It's useful information.
Ready to Book?
If you've been on the fence, or if reading this post has helped clarify something — this is a good moment to take the next step.
Sources & further reading
↳ questions after reading? book a consult.
